Hindus are urging University of North Dakota (UND), a public research university at Grand Forks, to provide its Lotus Meditation Center (LMC) a befitting new home on the campus when the existing one is reportedly taken down over the summer.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that meditation was quite helpful in combating stress that challenges faced by university students brought, and to increase the powers of their minds. So it was quite important that the meditation center be housed in an appropriate setting.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, explained that meditation was a condition of profound internal wakefulness; and added that ancient Hindu scripture Taittiriya Upanishad stated: “Meditation is Brahman (the supreme being)”.

Rajan Zed further said that Lord Krishna told in Bhagavad-Gita: With mind and senses disciplined through meditation, bonded with the Self within, the seeker achieves tranquility and nirvana, the state of permanent peace and joy in me. Zed noted that Hinduism had been associated with meditation for ages; and there were various aspects of it, including pratyahara, upasana, samadhi, manana, dhyana, dharana.

LMC is described as: The Lotus Meditation Center has been established as a sacred space of peace and quiet. Members of the University and Greater Grand Forks community are welcome to leave their shoes at the door as is the tradition, sit quietly and relax. As an inclusive place, persons of all faiths -or none- are equally welcome. LMC is dedicated to contemplation and traditional meditative practices…some of which may be religious in nature.

State’s oldest, UND was established in 1883. It serves nearly 15,000 students from 50 states and 85 countries in over 225 fields of study. Mark Kennedy is the President.